Title

Author

Date of Award

Spring 5-11-2018

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Public Health (MPH)

Department

Public Health

First Advisor

Dr. Ike Okosun

Second Advisor

Dr. Richard Rothenberg

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Background: Childhood stunting remains a major public health problem in developing countries because of its association with increased morbidity and mortality. In Guinea, the prevalence of childhood stunting has increased from 30.5% to 31.2% between 1999 and 2012. This study aimed to identify factors associated with stunting and severe stunting among children aged less than five years in Guinea.

Methods:The study used a cross-sectional data from the 2012 Guinean Demographic and Health Survey which included 3176 children aged 0-59 months. The 2016 WHO Height-for-age Z-score (HAZ) was used to classify stunting as moderate stunting (HAZ

Results: The prevalence of child stunting was higher in boys (32.69%) than in girls (29.12%). Age was a significant determinant of stunting with the highest odds among children aged 24-35 months (Adjusted OR=6.82; 95%CI=4.37, 10.63). Children from Mamou (Adjusted OR=2.17 95% CI 1.16, 4.05) and N’zerekore (Adjusted OR=2.05 95% CI 1.15, 3.66) were more likely to be stunted compared to those from the capital city Conakry. The other factors associated with growth faltering were wealth index (poorest, poorer, and middle), short birth interval (less than 24 months, 24 to 47 months), mother’s low body mass index (less than 18.5 kg/m2) and source of drinking water (unimproved).

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that intervention to address childhood stunting in Guinea should focus on poverty alleviation as well as improving women’s nutrition, child feeding practices, household sanitation and family planning.